In this post, our friends from Crane are explaining why your nursery needs a humidifier and what features to look for when choosing a humidifier. They will also explain how and when to use a humidifier, especially when your baby is sick.
Every day, the air in your house becomes drier because of our air conditioning and heating systems. The dry air is not good for anyone but can cause complications for babies because they have more sensitive skin and breathing passages. This is especially true during the colder months when we see an increase in colds and respiratory infections.
The Benefits of Using a Humidifier in Your Baby’s Room
Here are the main reasons why you should have a humidifier in your baby’s room.
SOOTHE BABY’S SKIN
Using a humidifier can help to soothe and protect your baby’s sensitive skin. The moist air from the humidifier will help to keep your baby’s skin hydrated. Keeping their skin hydrated may also help to prevent eczema and other skin problems.
PROTECTION FROM RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Humidifiers can help to protect your baby from respiratory infections. The moist air from the humidifier will help to keep your baby’s breathing passages moist which may help to prevent colds, the flu, and other respiratory infections.
BETTER SLEEP
A humidifier can help your baby sleep better! The moist air helps to keep the baby's nose and throat moist, which can help to prevent congestion and other respiratory problems that can interfere with sleep.
SUPPORTS REDUCTION IN VIRUSES AND BACTERIA
Humidifiers can help to reduce the number of viruses and bacteria in your baby’s room. The moist air helps to keep the air moist which inhibits the growth of bacteria and viruses. Keeping the humidity in your baby’s room between 40-60% can actually slow the transmission of airborne viruses as well.
HELPS WITH CRADLE CAP
Humidifiers can also help with cradle cap. Cradle cap is a common skin condition that causes rough patches on the scalps of newborns and babies. The moist air helps to keep baby’s skin hydrated and may help to prevent cradle cap from developing.
Humidifier Best Practices
To get the most out of your humidifier, you want to make sure you’re using best practices to maintain it.
- Make sure to clean the humidifier often to prevent bacteria and mold from growing.
- Choose a humidifier that is easy to clean.
- Match the size of the humidifier to the size of the room.
- Monitor the humidity levels in the room and adjust the humidifier accordingly.
- Do not leave standing water in the humidifier. Always empty the tank and leave out to air dry if not in use.
- Be sure to unplug the humidifier when not in use.
- Consult with your doctor before using a humidifier if your baby has any health concerns.
The best humidifiers for babies
There are so many different types and sizes of humidifiers to choose from.
SIZE OF THE ROOM
Make sure the humidifier is big enough to cover the size of the room. You should be able to easily find this information on the humidifier’s packaging or in its description online. Look for the square footage coverage that best matches the size of your room.
APPEARANCE
Of course you will want to choose a humidifier that looks nice and that fits with the décor of the room. You can find humidifiers in multiple colors, animal themes and many other options.
EASE OF CLEANING
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a humidifier is how easy it is to clean. Some humidifiers have parts that can be washed in the dishwasher, while others require manual cleaning. You will want to choose a humidifier that is easy to clean so that you can keep it free of bacteria and mold. Since humidifiers are water based products, you want to make sure that there are no hard-to-reach areas to clean to prevent bacteria growth.
Why is it helpful?
The bottom line is that a humidifier can be a helpful addition to your baby’s room during the winter months. It can help to add moisture to the air and may alleviate congestion and breathing problems, which can help your baby sleep better! There are many factors to consider when choosing a humidifier and we hope that this guide will help you find the best one for your home. As always, consult with your doctor before using a humidifier if your baby has any health concerns.
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